Roumy Cheese vs Tulum Cheese
Roumy Cheese is a hard cow and buffalo-milk cheese from Egypt, while Tulum Cheese is a goat-milk cheese, originating in Turkey.
What Is Roumy Cheese?
Rumi, also spelled Roumy, is the main hard cheese of Egypt, made from cow's or buffalo milk with no starter culture. Three to four months of aging give it an open texture, a pungent smell and a sharp flavor that gets saltier with age.
What Is Tulum Cheese?
Tulum is a Turkish goat's milk cheese ripened inside a goatskin casing, which is what the word tulum means in Turkish. It is made in several regions, and versions from Erzincan, İzmir, Divle, Çimi and Kargı each taste different.
What's the Difference Between Roumy Cheese and Tulum Cheese?
- Origin: Roumy Cheese (Egypt), Tulum Cheese (Turkey)
- Milk type: Roumy Cheese (cow's and water buffalo's milk), Tulum Cheese (goat)
- Aging: Roumy Cheese (3 to 4 months), Tulum Cheese (about 6 months)
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Roumy Cheese | Tulum Cheese | |
|---|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Egypt | Turkey |
| Specific Origin | Egypt | Turkey |
| Milk Type | Cow's and water buffalo's milk | Goat |
| Milk Treatment | — | Raw |
| Texture | Hard | — |
| Rind | Natural | — |
| Aging | 3 to 4 months | About 6 months |
| Taste | Salty, sharp, strong | — |
Taste Comparison: Does Roumy Cheese Taste Like Tulum Cheese?
Their flavor profiles are distinct. Aging plays into this as well. Roumy Cheese at 3 to 4 months develops a different profile than Tulum Cheese at about 6 months.
Can You Substitute Roumy Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
Roumy Cheese can stand in for Tulum Cheese in many dishes, but the switch will shift the overall character of the recipe.
Which Is Better, Roumy Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want.
Which is your favorite?
One click, anonymous. See what others chose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roumy Cheese the same as Tulum Cheese?
No, they're distinct cheeses. Roumy Cheese originates in Egypt, while Tulum Cheese comes from Turkey. Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk; Tulum Cheese uses goat. Aging also differs: Roumy Cheese is typically aged 3 to 4 months, Tulum Cheese about 6 months.
Is Roumy Cheese similar to Tulum Cheese?
Not closely. They use different milk bases and have distinct profiles.
Can I substitute Roumy Cheese for Tulum Cheese?
You can, but expect a shift in richness and milk character.
Does Roumy Cheese taste like Tulum Cheese?
They have distinct flavor profiles. The taste row in the table above is the best direct comparison.
What is Roumy Cheese made of?
Roumy Cheese is made from cow and buffalo milk. It's typically aged 3 to 4 months. It originates in Egypt.
What is Tulum Cheese made of?
Tulum Cheese is made from goat milk (raw). It's typically aged about 6 months. It originates in Turkey.
Which should I choose, Roumy Cheese or Tulum Cheese?
It depends on the dish. The table above is the fastest way to decide based on your recipe.